Date: 2017-11-16

No fewer than 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, yesterday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors joined the APC during the campaign for Saturday's council poll in Afon, Aboto-Oja, Alapa and Ballah, which attracted large turnout of party faithful.

The decampees led by Alhaji Olarewaju Pakoyi were presented to the gathering by the State Assistant Treasurer of APC, Alhaji Amuda Abdulsalam Yusuf (Morroco) on behalf of Hon Rasak Atunwa.

In his remark, Atunwa commended the defectors for taking the bold step and assured them of equal opportunity as the party is large enough to accommodate all.

He described Asa APC as one big family, charging the defectors to vote en mass and work for the success of the party in the council poll in order to bring the dividends of democracy to their door steps.

While admitting the defectors to the party, the APC Kwara Central Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina urged them to be committed and come forward with progressive ideas.

Reacting, the leader of the group, Pakoyi described the event as 'home coming' having left the ruling APC some months ago, due to grievances.

He explained that the reunion was facilitated by Hon. Atunwa and some other stalwart of the party in the council area, promising on behalf of other defectors, to cast their vote for all APC candidates.

Speaking earlier, a party chieftain, Alhaji Saad Ajelanwa said a vote for the APC chairmanship candidate, Hajia Risikat Opakunle is in appreciation of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for even distribution of dividends of democracy in the state.

…another Chieftain decamps to APC in Moro

One of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs, Alhaji Muktar Aliyu Tawakaltu, has decamped to the All Progressive? Congress (APC).

Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Okedare received the decampee on behalf of the party executive.

Muktar who is the chairman of the Kwara State Hausa Community Political Forum, People's Democratic Party officially announce his defection to the ruling party during the ward Congress held at the weekend at UMCA primary school, Jebba.

While speaking at the event, he noted that the decision to decamp was borne out of the desire of his people (the PDP Hausa Community) throughout the sixteen local government in the state, who were not satisfied with the way things are being done in the opposition party.

He further emphasized that his coming back to the party is like going back to the source because they were with the late political Godfather of Kwara politics, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, throughout his political journey in Kwara State.

He observed that the Hausa Community lost her political recognition since the demise of the late Olusola Saraki.

He said the Hausa Community respects the formidable structure of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state and thereafter laud the achievements of the distinguished President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Executive Governor of Kwara state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the speaker Kwara state House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad and his Deputy Hon. Mathew Okedare.

While reacting to this development, the Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, and Jagaban, Hon. Mathew Okedare welcomed them and urge them to be a good ambassadors of the party. He assured the people of Jebba ward of employment and some social amenities that would make living comfortable for them.

A former S.A to the Executive Governor of Kwara state, Hon. John Okedare also lauded those decamping for taking such a bold step. He further charged them to ensure victory in their various polling units comes the November 18 council polls.